Silver Peak Jewelry Arts Metalsmithing Classes

Enter the world of gemstone jewelry with this metalsmithing workshop in stone setting in our professional metalsmithing jewelry school in Lafayette, CO! You will learn how to make custom bezels for cabochons to create a stone statement ring that you will love to wear (or gift to a favorite person in your life!).

We will cover:

• Bezel sizing and fitting
• Bezel soldering
• Sweat soldering
• Stone setting in a custom bezel

Details:

• Sunday, September 14 from 9:30-5:30
• # students: 3 minimum, 5 maximum
• Materials kit fee is dependent on amount of silver used and will be weighed at $2/gram. You may also bring your own cabochon and we will have ones for sale. Materials fee will be due by the end of class via cash, check, or Venmo. You may bring your own sterling silver ring band or purchase one from the school for $25.
• Each student will work at their own dedicated jeweler's bench.
• Prerequisite: Intro to Metalsmithing, Level 1 Metalsmithing, Metals 1, or equivalent

In this 2-day workshop, Suzanne will demonstrate how to use riveting as a method of joining layers of sterling silver to create three-dimensional jewelry.

You will learn:

• how to plan and develop a riveted design, and how to create layers of pierced silver (other metals can be used as well) that work together on different levels
• how to create imagery on those layers
• how to assemble/join the 2 or 3-layered constructions using different kinds of rivets to connect 2 or more layers of metal sheet together using spacers (crimp beads) and pins or wire to create space between the layers.
• how a variety of rivet heads (some of which are stone settings) can be used not only to connect layers of sheet, but also as design elements.

At the end of class, you will have constructed 1 layered pendant, and possibly a 2nd if time allows.
Details:

• Saturday & Sunday, October 11, & 12 from 9:30-5:30 each day. You must be able to attend all three days as no makeups will be given.
• 24 contact hours (8 hours each day), ages 14+ located at 100.5 E. Cleveland St. Lafayette CO
• # students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
• Tools are provided
• The kit fee for the workshop is $65.00. It will include everything needed to create the projects. Participants can opt for a $30 kit if they prefer to bring all their own 18ga, 20 ga, and 22 ga sterling silver sheet.
• Prerequisite: Metals 1, Intro to metalsmithing, or equivalent. Note: Knowing how to properly texture metal to create imagery needed or our Textures in Metal class with Michele Throne is HIGHLY recommended.

Learn the ancient art of enameling! In this fast and fun class, you will be learning the method of fusing glass to metal without a kiln to create your own enameled jewelry. Enameling is one of the few ways to apply color to metal and create beautifully complex designs. At the end of class, you will have completed a pair of earrings and a pendant (or 3 pendants for those of you who do not wear earrings!)
We will cover:

• Selection of type of metal and enamels
• Cleaning metal for application
• How to apply enamels
• Torch use
• Clean-up of metal

Details:

• Thursday, September 4 from 11:00-2:00
• Class is held in the Silver Peak Studio Classroom located at 100.5 E. Cleveland St Lafayette 80026
• 3 contact hours, ages 14+
• # students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
• Materials kit fee is $30 and includes metal, enamels, and findings
• Each student will work at their own dedicated jeweler's bench. (No need to buy tools!)
• Prerequisite: none

Enter the world of making metal jewelry with Metals 1: Intro to Metalsmithing. This introductory one-day class gives you the foundational skills of metalsmithing jewelry and is the prerequisite for our more advanced classes.

This workshop is jam-packed with information to get you introduced to the world of metalsmithing without a huge time commitment! In addition to learning safety procedures, you will learn the fundamentals of metalsmithing and at the end of class, you will have made a textured sterling silver ring band with your choice of width (3 mm to 10 mm), size, texture, and finish as well as a hand-sawn and textured copper pendant necklace that is designed by you!
We will cover:

• Studio safety and ergonomics
• Sawing techniques
• Hammer texturing and stamping
• Filing and sanding
• Ring sizing
• Basics of soldering
• Texturing metal with a rolling mill and hammers
• How to use a flex-shaft
• How to create a comfort-fit ring
• Polishing

Details:

• Saturday, September 13, 9:30-5:30
• 8 contact hours, ages 14+ located at the Silver Peak Studio Classroom 100.5 E. Cleveland St Lafayette 80026
• # students: 3 minimum, 5 maximum
• Materials kit fee is $30 which includes workbook, KN95 mask, and studio materials. This fee is collected at the beginning of class via cash, check, or Venmo.
• Each student will work at their own dedicated jeweler's bench.
• Prerequisite: none